Alexander's Artillery Barrage prior to Pickett's Charge

[Lieut. General Jake]

Confederate artillery was always inferior to Union guns, unless they were captured Yankee ordnance. Even then, the quality of the ammunition left much to be desired. I think the Southern artillery had it's greatest moment at Chancellorsville firing down on Hookers headquarters, without Northern guns firing back.

On a related note, I think the South had a more practical organization for it's artillery. At Chancellorsville, the new battalion system was being given its trial run, and it worked to perfection. The realization that the artillery needed staff officers for field expediency gave the South an organizational advantage over the Northern artillery.

Just my 2 cents.

[Jack ONeill]

R,

Sorry about this. I've lost track of time lately (hint - don't have kids.) Meant to ask you - How many guns do you want to command? You have several choices - from a handful all the way up to literally all of them in the Confederate Army. You pick. Happy to run up a OOB for you.

Jack

[rclark14]

Hi, I would like to reenact with 150 guns if possible- :woohoo:

[Jack ONeill]

R,

It shall be done. Give me a couple of days. THIS will be fun. I love doing custom editing of OOB's.

Sic Semper Fidelis

Jack

[rclark14]

Hi bro- is this forthcoming please- much appreciated

[Willard]

Confederate artillery was always inferior to Union guns, unless they were captured Yankee ordnance. Even then, the quality of the ammunition left much to be desired. I think the Southern artillery had it's greatest moment at Chancellorsville firing down on Hookers headquarters, without Northern guns firing back.

On a related note, I think the South had a more practical organization for it's artillery. At Chancellorsville, the new battalion system was being given it's trial run, and it worked to perfection. The realization that the artillery needed staff officers for field expediency gave the South an organizational advantage over the Northern artillery.

Just my 2 cents.

Not sure where you are getting your information, but the Union had a distinct organization advantage over Southern batteries.

First, the Yank batteries were organized with the same type of ordninance so the teams didnt have to carry multiple types of ammo. Reb batteries had numerous instances where gun crews loaded the wrong ammo in battle and knocked their gun out for the duration. Second, the Yank batteries generally had 6 guns which gave them a 33% advantage over the Reb standard battery of 4. Third, Reb batteries were still under the heel of infantry commanders and used in direct support of the infantry which prevented centralization of control and deployment. At Gettysburg, the Rebs had an awful time getting their artillery organized and in numerous instances there were batteries sitting back from battle that never received orders to deploy. Read "The Artillery of Gettysburg" for a detailed account of the Reb troubles.

[Jack ONeill]

R,

Working on it when I have time. Am having slight difficulty in getting all the Batteries to accept the single Command structure. There always seems to be someone who doesn't want to cooperate. I'll get it. I always do.

Jack

[MarkT]

rclark14,
To actually answer your question. Can it be done. Yes!

"If" you mean "can the scenario include a 1 hour bombardment?"
The answer is Yes." Simply copy and rename the Pickett Scenario in the SDK and change the starting time of the scenario to 1 hour earlier. (See Mod Manual.)
Don't Move Pickett for 1 Hour.

"IF" you mean "Can I command the 150 guns and have a scenario set up to do so?"
The answer is still yes.
First of all, the problem of OOB comes into play. Alexander does not command all guns involved.
Your first task is to copy then alter the Union Artillery Scenario in the SDK. The OOB Alterations would be to place all the guns under Alexanders command. This requires some pretty extensive OOB editing.
(See Mod Manual. for all scenario creation items.)
Second, you need to place Alexander in command (in the scenario, Not Hazard.)
Third, you need to set the scenario clock back 1 hour. That way you can use your artillery for 1 hour before the infantry moves.
The messages are optional, but if they are to be changed, they too can be done.
Test, test, test.

Voila! you have created a scenario.

[rclark14]

Hi, where do you read the sdk manual please for modding :cheer:

[Jack ONeill]

R,

The situation is this. After experimenting around, I have found out that the AI will only allow 10 Brigades/Batteries per Division. The original idea was to place all 150 guns, (40 Batteries), under Porter Alexander, (you), in one Division. I will have to shift this to at least 4 Divisions of 10 Batteries each. Patience my young friend, just a little while longer. You shall have your batteries.

Jack